The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has unequivocally resolved that the 2026 NBA National Officers and General Council of the Bar (GCB) Elections will proceed as scheduled on Saturday, 18 July 2026, despite recent developments surrounding the Association’s Election Service Provider.
The resolution was reached at NEC’s Virtual Emergency Meeting held on Thursday, 16 July 2026, where members unanimously reaffirmed the Association’s commitment to constitutional governance, institutional independence, and the preservation of its democratic processes.
During the meeting, the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) briefed the Council on the state of preparations for the elections and unequivocally affirmed its readiness to conduct a free, fair, transparent and credible poll on Saturday, 18 July 2026.
The Committee informed NEC that, notwithstanding the temporary detention of the Managing Director of the Election Service Provider, there was no operational or logistical basis for postponing the elections, as all necessary arrangements remained firmly on course.
NEC emphasized that no external interference or unforeseen circumstance would derail the electoral timetable approved by the Association, stressing that the credibility and integrity of the NBA’s democratic institutions must be protected at all times.
During the meeting, the Council strongly condemned the arrest and detention of the Managing Director of the NBA’s Election Service Provider by the Department of State Services (DSS), describing the development as deeply troubling and potentially disruptive to the seamless conduct of the elections.
NEC consequently demanded his immediate and unconditional release, insisting that no action should be permitted to undermine the conduct of a free, fair, transparent, and credible election.
Shortly after the conclusion of the emergency meeting, it has been confirmed that the Managing Director had been released from custody. With this development, the election scheduled for Saturday 18th July, 2026 remains uninterrupted.
Reaffirming the Association’s longstanding commitment to the rule of law, NEC called on all eligible members of the Bar to remain calm, participate peacefully in the elections, and continue to uphold the ideals of democracy and the independence of the legal profession.
The Council maintained that the 2026 NBA National Elections will hold as scheduled on Saturday, 18 July 2026, while urging all relevant authorities to respect the autonomy of the Association and refrain from any action capable of interfering with its democratic processes.
